Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Dahammer

OK, here's an update. I had the termite guy (Terminex) come by and check things out. He didn't think it was that bad, but wanted to come back to go under the house in that area to have a good look before he quoted me an estimate. OK, here's what he said. They want to treat the entire structure all around with Termidor. He said that they would only spot treat an area inside IF I saw active termites. He also stated that treating for the termites is the FIRST thing to do, just as you said. However, they will not be treating the supports under the house unless they see evidence of termite activity. Hmmm, don't know about this. Well, he said the termites will probably be dead within 30 day, and no longer than 90. They will also warranty this treatment for 3 years, afterwards for a small fee ($150 a year) to extend the warranty indefinately. My concern is are they going to do the job well enough to get rid of the little buggers? With my discount (I have a dry-wood termite warranty through them already) the total will be $1615. They said it would be $350 down, and the rest to be paid every month of $79 for 18 months.

What do you think about this, as well as the job that they propose doing? Do you think that the parameter treatment will be good enough? They DID say that if the termites return, then what ever it takes to get rid of them, they will do if its within 3 years of treatment at N/C.

I would be very interested in hearing from you about this, and if you think I should go this route. If I buy the Termidor myself, becase of the size of the house, it would probably cost me at least $750 just for that, and then there would be all the labor I would have to do. Of course there would also be no warranty I would get, so if they should return, of I do not get them all, then I would have to spend more money for more Termidor.

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Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Hmm, that's somewhat confusing. He says they want to treat the entire structure but do not want to treat the piers under the house? That doesn't make any sense to me, as it's contradicting. I'd want them to treat any portions of the house, piers and otherwise, that are in direct contact with the house and the soil beneath it.

It also seems the advent of Termidor has caused them to change the warranty. Use to, they'd only warranty the treatment for 1 year unless you renewed the annual contract. The warranty use to also include termite damage and at the time Terminex was the only one in the business that offered a damage warranty. If you could prove there were active termites and damage, they'd pay to fix the damage and retreat the house. But it may be different in different areas of the country, especially areas with Formosan and Drywoods, such as yours.

In my opinion, and take note that is all it is, if it's treated and the termites haven't returned in 3 years, then they aren't likely to return. But I'm curious whether or not they would allow you to not pay the annual fee, then renew the contract in year 3 if you were to find termites again.

I really can't say about the price they quoted, as I've been out of it for so long that I have no idea what it costs these days. But I would get at least one other estimate if I were you. The local mom & pop company will probably beat Terminex's price, but you have to consider there standing as well, so look for someone who has been in the business a long time. And run away from any company wanting to use baits for termites, if there are still any left using it.

Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Dahammer

Here is an update. First of all, when the inspector came to the house, I played stupid. I acted as if I knew nothiong about what he was talking about. (I'm really good at this. LOL) Well, the guy called me this evening, and asked if I had spoken to my wife, and decided when I was going to have the treatment done. I told him that after he left yesterday, I got on the comuter, and read a lot of info about the termites, and the type of treatment they were going to do. I told him I had major concerns about what he said he was going to do. I explained to him that the parameter doesn't really matter, if the concrete supports are not treated as well. He then back-tracked and said "Oh, you must have misunderstood what I meant" (yea right). "Yes, we will also treat the supports under the house". I also told him that unless he injects some of the poison into the wood where the termites are at, then unless the termites build another mud-tube and go back into the ground, then the poison will not even get to them. I told him that since the entire area gets pretty wet when it rains, they might survive for quite a while, untouched, and all the while, eating up my house. He then back-tracks again and says "I'm sorry, you didn't understand me, but yes, we will be treating the wood where the termites are active, so that the termites already in the house will contact the poison".

Hmmm, I know exactly what he said before, and I had specifically asked him these questions, and his answers were totally different, compared to his answers he gave when I told him of my concerns. I am thinking that this guy must be working on commission, and the less they have to do treating my house, the more profit he makes. You know, I try to use logic.

I am going to have someone else come over next week to give me an estimate, and find out the method they would use, and then go from there. I'll be sure and let you know how it goes.

As far as the warranty goes, it would be covered for 3 years, and then after that, I would have the option of renewing it again every year, as long as I wanted to. Of course, the warranty doesn't mean squat, if they don't kill the termites to begin with.

Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Quote:

Originally Posted by bofusmosby

Here is an update. First of all, when the inspector came to the house, I played stupid. I acted as if I knew nothiong about what he was talking about. (I'm really good at this. LOL) Well, the guy called me this evening, and asked if I had spoken to my wife, and decided when I was going to have the treatment done. I told him that after he left yesterday, I got on the comuter, and read a lot of info about the termites, and the type of treatment they were going to do. I told him I had major concerns about what he said he was going to do. I explained to him that the parameter doesn't really matter, if the concrete supports are not treated as well. He then back-tracked and said "Oh, you must have misunderstood what I meant" (yea right). "Yes, we will also treat the supports under the house". I also told him that unless he injects some of the poison into the wood where the termites are at, then unless the termites build another mud-tube and go back into the ground, then the poison will not even get to them. I told him that since the entire area gets pretty wet when it rains, they might survive for quite a while, untouched, and all the while, eating up my house. He then back-tracks again and says "I'm sorry, you didn't understand me, but yes, we will be treating the wood where the termites are active, so that the termites already in the house will contact the poison".

I wouldn't be overly concerned about the termites that are already in the wood, they will die if you cut them off from the soil. It's just a matter of time, so long as the wood doesn't stay wet that is. The only reason we ever treated the wood was to satisfy customers that had termites swarming out into their living area. It does little, if anything, to solve the real problem. Other than making the customer happy, that is.

You didn't mention if the your termites have swarmed yet or not. Have they? It will usually happen in the Spring when temps start rising. Only a mature colony will swarm. So if they haven't swarmed, that is a good sign.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bofusmosby

I am thinking that this guy must be working on commission, and the less they have to do treating my house, the more profit he makes. You know, I try to use logic.

Kinda. He is a salesman and they do work on commission, but his commission is based on the gross sale price, not the profit. Or at least that's the way it use to be. And they really want to stop them the first time so they don't have to come back, which is why I was surprised they had told they wouldn't be treating all of the piers. In fact, partial treatments use to be against rules, unless the structure had already been fully treated and partial was a retreat spot treatment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bofusmosby

I am going to have someone else come over next week to give me an estimate, and find out the method they would use, and then go from there. I'll be sure and let you know how it goes.

Good move, as there is no rush really. Did you find out which variety of termite you have?

Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Fortunately, these termites are of the regular sub-terranium type, not the formosan ones. BUT, unfortunatly, they have swarmed. Thats how I found them last weekend. When I mentioned about treating the wood, well, there IS a water source there. When it rains, the boards get saturated. Once I replace the gutters, bad wood, remove the deck from the side of the house etc. etc.., their water source will be gone. This is why I wanted them to treat the wood as well. If it should take me several months to accomplish these tasks, at least hopefully they will be dead by then, or at least dying. Right now, their access to the ground has been removed. I am sure that in time, they will build other mud-tunnels back to the ground, but if they have a source for water, then they may not be in any hurry.

What are your thoughts of using "lattice" around the foundation to keep the dogs from going under the house? The wood lattice they sell (Home Depot) is all pressure-treated. The lattice I have been using is of the thick vinyl type. It looks like wood, but isn't. I have to put something there to block the access.

Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Vinyl would be fine, since it's not made from wood. But they will eat almost anything wood, including the paper off of drywall. Personally, I wouldn't put anything wooden, pressure treated or otherwise, in direct contact with the ground and remotely close to the house. But I've seen a lot of extreme cases, which is the cause for that opinion. I've seen them eat treated landscape timbers numerous times. I've seen a lot of cases where landscape timbers and etc were the cause for getting the termites started. The only thing wooden I've not seen them eat is anything treated with creosote. That they will not eat.

Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Dahammer

Here is the final update. I had called 2 other places, but they would never call me back. Geezzz, it seems like with the economy being like it is, people would want the business.

OK, I went with Terminex, and they charged me $1,610 for the job. They trenched around all the supports, as well as directly under the house where the termites came from. I told them they needed to do that because I knew that here was already a colony there. They also drilled some holes into the damaged area from the inside, so any termites that might still be there will get in to the poison. The guy told me that they should all be dead soon, and that in 90 day, ALL will be dead.

OK, so I have decided to hold off on any of the repairs that need to be done for 3 months. That way, if I find any live ones, I'll call them back to re-treat the area again.

Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Did they use Termidor? If so, you are in good shape. We even give a longer warranty with Termidor and rarely get burned. When we do, it's because the structure is built oddly, usually with multiple additions and innaccessible spaces. Premise (Imidacloprid) and the new Dupont termiticide are very good as well. Non-repellency is the key. Holding off for 3 months sounds like a good idea; they will probably be gone even sooner.

Dahammer gives good advice; Here in Pennsylvania at least, I also tell people that if you don't have re-infestation or swarming for 3 years, then no need to renew warranty, UNLESS you are considering selling your house soon. Then the prospective buyers will feel more comfortable knowing that they have a warranty. In this case it does make sense.

If you are in a warmer climate than the northeast, then you do need to consider that when warranty renewal time comes. In the meantime learn from you neighbors and friends as to their experiences with re-infestation in your area.

Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

PAbugman

Yes, they used Termidore. I made sure of that. As far as my neighbors go, I live in a poorer area of town, and most of my neighbors NEVER have their houses treated for anything. They DO have termites, they just don't do anything about it. I figured that if I start removing the bad wood right away, then the termidore will also be removed, along with the chance of the ones that are still alive of spreading it to the others. I figure in 90 day, I can come up with the money I need for the materials to repair the damage.

I was debating on doing the work myself, but I would rather be sure the job is done correctly. I plan on staying put in my house, after all, its my home!

Subterranean termite DIY treatments?

Dahammer, I still have the plastic up, keeping all the water out of the area. Better to be safe than sorry. I'm just hoping that I don't find a ton of damage. The termite guy said he could see no other damage caused by these critters this time. He did mention however that he saw a lot of old dry-wood termite damage. This I was already aware of. I guess I'll add to this post in 3 months, when I tear into the damaged area. I'll let you know what I find.

Thanks again for all the help and support. I felt that by you doing this, I wasn't going into this "un-armed". I was able to ask the right questions, and make sure that all of my concerns were addressed, and taken care of.